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Summer is beginning to wind down, as evidenced by back-to-school excitement and the reappearance of sweaters and boots in our favorite stores. While we love summer (it’s hard not to, when you live in coastal North Carolina!) fall is really fun, too. The weather is a bit cooler, there’s time to tackle home improvement projects, and we’re able to focus on work, studies, and new projects.

One of the ways to keep productivity up and your plans on schedule is to have a dedicated space in your home for scheming and dreaming. Enter: the home office. To keep you organized and inspired, we’ve pulled together five tips and tricks that will help you design the ultimate home office. Enjoy!

Invest in a good chair.

Time at your desk is tantamount to making progress on your goals, whether that’s a raise at your office job or finally writing your memoir. If you’re sitting in an uncomfortable chair, it will be nearly impossible to focus on the work at hand. Choose something ergonomically-correct and comfortable, and make sure it’s beautiful, too. This your home office, after all—there’s no reason to keep it corporate.

A room with a view.

Position your desk so you have a good view out the window. While this might seem distracting, it’s actually a great way to keep your creative juices flowing. It’s also good for your eyes, since experts recommend the 20-20-20 rule for good eyesight—that is, look away from computer every 20 minutes and gaze at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. You’re not daydreaming, you’re exercising your eyes!

Light up your (work) life.

If you work or go to school full time, chances are most of the time you spend in your home office will be after hours. Don’t rely on overhead lights and opt instead for floor and desk lamps. These will create a cozier, warmer atmosphere that will make your office feel like an extension of your home.

Get comfortable with optional seating.

While a desk and ergonomic chair are key parts of an office, it’s also a good idea to have some comfortable seating on hand. A loveseat or recliner is a great way to round out the room, while at the same time giving you a alternative place to read, think, and brainstorm.

Stay organized.

Keeping your work area neat and organized is a sign that you take your work seriously and give it the respect it deserves! It’s also less distracting, since it can be hard to focus in the middle of a mess. Get a good bookshelf, invest in a file cabinet, and keep your wires tidy and out of sight. If you like to stack things, a basket on your desk is a great place to collect stray papers, and a bulletin board it perfect for hanging receipts, photos, and motivational quotes.

We hope these tips help you design a happy and productive home office! For more home design tips, make sure to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter, where we love sharing ways to make your house a home. And if you’re house hunting, be sure to contact one of our Network Real Estate agents today—we’re always happy to help!